Wild For Life

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Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.

Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.

Wild For Life is the Toronto Zoo podcast that brings you behind the scenes and unveils the "hidden zoo." Each episode brings you information on the critical conservation work that protects endangered species and works to preserve biodiversity. You will hear from nutritionists, ecologists, veterinarians, social scientists, wildlife biologists, and more that are working hard to help protect wildlife from all over the world.

Episodes

Did you ever wonder why the Polar Bears have an empty barrel in their enclosures that they can fill up with water during play time? The barrel is part of the Polar Bears’ behavioural enrichment program to mimic the behaviours they would do in the wild. Behavioural Enrichment is part of the subject of today’s episode, where I sit down with Hollie Ross, the Acting Behavioural Husbandry Supervisor, to discuss programs that are in place to enrich the lives of the animals at the Toronto Zoo. It’s...

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Kyla Greenham, Manager of Conservation Programs and Environment at the Toronto Zoo. Kyla and I discussed some of the many sustainable programs that are currently implemented at the Zoo. We also had the chance to discuss how the passion to be eco-friendly was initially driven by the staff at the Zoo a number of decades ago. That passion was the driving force for many programs mentioned in this episode and the new Washed Ashore – Art To Save The...

Dr. Kevin Kerr, Curator of Birds and Invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo, joins me on the podcast to discuss the husbandry and conservation projects at the Zoo. If you are into birds, then this episode is for you!. Kevin talks about how species are chosen to be hosted at the Zoo; which species participate in the breeding programs; and, which species can be seen at the Zoo! He also talks about how some bird species are not visible to the public at the Zoo and why.
We also have a discussion on...

How do you care for 4,600 lbs Rhino at a Zoo? Angie Snowie and Deserrai Buunk are Rhino Keepers at the Toronto Zoo and sit down with me to discuss the care they provide the Greater One-Horned and White Rhinos. We learn about their nutrition, exercise, and parental care at the Zoo as well as the need to protect and conserve these spectacular creatures.
Listen to the episode to find out more about the Rhinos at the Toronto Zoo and how you can help protect them in the wild.

I have the pleasure to sit down with Dr. Christopher Dutton, the Head of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Centre at the Toronto Zoo, to discuss how a small number of people work with each other, the keepers, and other staff members care for the many species at the Zoo. We discuss what it takes to become a Veterinarian of a variety of species; how the animals’ behaviour is conditioned to be examined without being immobilized; and, the new projects that Chris and his staff are undertaking...

Did you ever wonder what it’s like to track bats during the night in a forest? I sit down with Eryk Matczak and Toby Thorne, two native bat researchers at the Toronto Zoo, to discuss their field work during the summers where they track, catch and release and learn about the native bat species in Ontario. Eryk and Toby have a great passion for bats and are here to bust myths about bats and discuss how they are trying to learn more about bat ecology to help protect them.

My guest today is Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, the Curator of Reproductive Programs and Research at the Toronto Zoo. I sit down with Gaby to find out more about the “fertility clinic” of a number of species at the Zoo to help protect the genetic diversity of each species. During our chat, Gaby tells me about the Wood Bison Program to help repopulate the Bison population in Saskatchewan. The Zoo’s artificial insemination program has created at least 10 Bison that are kept at the Zoo.
You are...

Kim Welfle joins me on the podcast today to discuss the care and conservation of the African penguins at the Toronto Zoo. Kim is a Keeper Grade 3 who has been working in the African Savanna area for the past 6 years; however, she has worked at the Zoo since she was a teenager. Kim tells me about the penguins’ natural habitat along the coast of South Africa and how their habitat has shifted from the West to the East. The shift was caused because the penguin prey, sardines, shifted from West...

I sit down with Andrew Lentini, the Interim Director of Conservation and Wildlife at the Toronto Zoo, to discuss how the Zoo leads in conservation projects locally and internationally using its facilities as a way to help protect species.
Enjoy the show!
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We are proud to present to you our new podcast. This episode introduces the Wild For Life Podcast to augment the Zoo experience for everyone who visits the Toronto Zoo.
I am your host, Andrew Lewin, and today I am joined by the CEO of the Toronto Zoo, Dolf DeJong. Dolf discusses what the Zoo is all about and his excitement for releasing this podcast to highlight the great conservation work done at this facility.
Enjoy the show!

Duration:00:19:05

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